Deindividuation and the Stanford Prison Experiment

Different in a crowd 👥

People sometimes behave differently in a large crowd than they would alone. Psychologists explain this with **deindividuation**. This module covers deindividuation, a famous study that shows it, and how crowds can act for good or for ill.

Key terms 📖

Learn these before you begin:

Match each term to its meaning

What is deindividuation?

What does deindividuation mean?

• Losing your sense of individual identity in a crowd or group
• Following a direct order from someone in authority
• Changing your view to match a group's opinion
• Helping a stranger in an emergency

How deindividuation works 💡

Deindividuation is more likely when being in a **crowd**, wearing a **uniform** or staying **anonymous** makes people feel less identifiable as individuals. They can then act in ways they would not alone. This can be **anti-social**, such as aggression in a mob, or **pro-social**, such as joining in to help at a charity event.

The deindividuation process

An interactive activity.

What increases it?

Select the TWO things that increase deindividuation.

• Being in a large crowd
• Wearing a uniform or mask
• Being alone and clearly identified
• Being named and singled out

Deindividuation frame

Deindividuation is losing your sense of individual _____ in a group. It is more likely when people feel _____, for example in a large crowd or a _____. It can lead to anti-social or _____ behaviour.

The Stanford Prison Experiment 🔬

A famous study of this is the **Stanford Prison Experiment** by **Haney, Banks and Zimbardo (1973)**, 'A Study of Prisoners and Guards in a Simulated Prison'. The researchers reported that student volunteers, who were **very similar and non-aggressive** at the start, behaved very differently once they were in a group and wearing a uniform. Zimbardo read this through **deindividuation** and **conformity to a role**.

What was reported?

What did Zimbardo and colleagues report from the Stanford Prison Experiment?

• Non-aggressive students behaved harshly once in a uniform and a group
• Students refused to take part in any group role
• Students behaved exactly the same as before the study
• Students became calmer and more polite in the group

Match each idea to its example

The study frame

In the Stanford Prison Experiment, Haney, Banks and _____ (1973) reported that similar students changed once in a group and a _____. Pearson reads this through deindividuation and conformity to a _____. Crowds can act in anti-social or _____ ways.

Apply deindividuation

An interactive activity.

Explain and evaluate

An interactive activity.